Your browser does not appear to support JavaScript, or you have turned JavaScript off. You may use unl.edu without enabling JavaScript, but certain functions may not be available.

CREIGHTON
-- KNOX COUNTY

The City of Creighton developed as a result of the "Bruce
Colony" settlement in 1871. A charter was obtained in 1874
to plat the north side of what is now our mile-long Main Street.
Some say the town was named for Edward Creighton, while others
claim it was for John, for whom Creighton University was named.
The most plausible explanation is "the Creighton family of
Omaha."

In those early years, food staples and supplies were brought
in by wagon from Yankton or West Point, being transported mainly
during the winter so the rivers might be crossed while frozen.
When the railroad arrived in 1881, ensuring the existence of
Creighton, it resulted in the near-demise of Bazile Mills to the
north.

The next year Main Street was widened, additions were made to
the original town, and formal incorporation papers were filed.
Dr.George Roberts established a medical center that continued
until 1920. After 33 years without a hospital, the Lundberg
family and other concerned citizens built a modern hospital in
1953 that serves as the only hospital in Knox County.

Many tales
of bravery and human endurance arose from the catastrophic
blizzard of 1888. More recently the winter of 1948-49, starting
with a blizzard in November, brought a resignation to weather's
importance in northeast Nebraska.

A newspaper started in 1889, the year a fire destroyed an
entire block of the business district. This prompted the
installation of a unique system that took water directly from
Bazile Creek and stored it in a wooden tower to be used for fire
protection. In 1894 a volunteer fire department was organized and
today it still protects the city with one of the best-equipped
units for its size.

The first electric service was operated by Fred Largen and
Andy Schneider in 1890. Later, Largen started making items such
as motion picture projectors, irrigation sprinkler nozzles, and
deep fryers. Creighton Bottling Works also started making soda
pop.

In 1899 telephone service was installed by M.C.Theisen and a
Mr.Diehl. Northwestern Bell built long distance lines from
Norfolk.

Creighton became a second class city in 1907, the same year a
two-story brick school was built in the south part of town.
Domestic water was a problem until 1913, when a new water system
was installed.

A public library, built in 1914, was replaced in the '60s by
one donated by the Hengstler family. A municipal hall, built in
1916, is still in use for city offices and many public functions.

With the war-to-end-all-wars over, the town experienced much
growth. Electrical power was received from Interstate Power
System in 1923. This system is now part of NPPD, with
headquarters built in Creighton in 1960.

Bank and business failures were typical in the '30s. The Bank
of Creighton was one of the last in the county to close, and
after reorganizing, it paid depositors nearly 100 percent.

When America again went to war in 1941, our finest and best
answered the call to service. Expansion followed as rural
electrification became a reality, and new businesses and homes
were built.

The 1950s saw the end of passenger service on the Chicago
North Western Railroad, but natural gas service became available.
The city started a program to hard-surface the streets, and a
modern swimming pool was built.

In the 1960s school consolidation, while in some respects
painful, was successfully completed and a new high school was
dedicated in '62.

The town continued to grow, with its highest population,
1,461, registered in 1970. Expansion was needed in the water
supply, hospital, and streets. An important milestone was
Creighton's centennial, with a full week of celebration, parades,
a pageant, and all kinds of entertainment for area residents.

Since agriculture is the main industry, Creighton experiences
fluctuations in its economy along with the rural area. Faith that
our town is still a viable location was exemplified recently when
a new market moved to town, renovating a building into one of the
most efficient, convenient grocery outlets in northeast Nebraska.